UK Digital Video 2019

A Rich Provider Landscape Drives Up Digital Viewership

Digital Video 2019

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Forecasts for seven markets: US, Canada, China, France, Germany, Latin America, UK

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About This Report
Digital video viewership in the UK is high, driven by a broad choice of platforms. From free over-the-top platforms, to broadcasters’ own on-demand services, to a flourishing subscription landscape, UK viewers have a rich and varied digital video diet.

Executive Summary

The number of UK digital video viewers continues to rise. YouTube remains near-ubiquitous, while the video-on-demand (VOD) landscape becomes ever-more competitive. A rich ecosystem doesn’t necessarily make for greater advertiser opportunities, though.

How many digital video viewers are there in the UK?

This year, 45.6 million people will watch digital video content at least monthly in the UK. That represents 68.3% of the population.

What devices are viewers using to get their digital video fix?

Almost 31 million people will watch video via a mobile device in 2019. However, connected TV users will top that, with 34.7 million users—nearly 60% of which will be smart TV users. In fact, for long-form, high-quality digital content, the TV set remains the device of choice.

Which digital video platforms dominate in the UK?

YouTube is dominant, with 40.9 million viewers this year. Among subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) players, Netflix dominates with 20.9 million users; Amazon Prime Video comes in with 11.3 million. There are also well-stocked VOD platforms from all the major free-to-air and pay TV broadcasters in the UK, many with larger viewer pools than even Netflix.

Who’s driving the rise in digital video viewers?

Younger people are most likely to consume digital video content, with the millennial cohorts (not teens) having the bigger proportions of viewers. This is likely driven by a digital mindset plus a greater degree of solvency with which to subscribe to VOD services.

How are marketers approaching this changing landscape?

Digital video advertising is seeing a surge in interest and investment. However, advertising within the digital video platforms is a challenge when consumers are becoming accustomed to ad-free subscription services.

WHAT’S IN THIS REPORT? This report examines the digital video market in the UK, based on our most recent forecasts. It looks at who’s watching, how they’re watching and what it all means for marketers.

KEY STAT: The digital video viewer population in the UK is spread across all age groups. However, more millennials than any other age group regularly watch this type of content, even more than teens.

Here’s what’s in the full report

3files

Exportable files for easy reading, analysis and sharing.

18charts

Reliable data in simple displays for presentations and quick decision making.

8expert perspectives

Insights from industry and company leaders.

Table of Contents

  1. Executive Summary
  2. Overview of Our UK Digital Video Viewer Numbers
  3. Select Platform Forecasts
  1. What’s Shaping the UK Video Market in 2019?
  2. Key Takeaways
  3. eMarketer Interviews
  1. Read Next
  2. Sources
  3. Media Gallery

Charts in This Report

Interviewed for This Report

Thomas Bremond
FreeWheel, a Comcast Company
General Manager, International
Interviewed July 23, 2019
Graeme Hutcheson
Sky Media
Director, Advanced Advertising Strategy
Interviewed August 23, 2019
Charlie Johnson
Digital Element
Vice President, UK and Ireland
Interviewed August 1, 2019
Lisa Menaldo
The Advisory Collective
Co-Founder
Interviewed August 21, 2019
Glenn Perera
Integral Ad Science
Director, Product Strategy EMEA
Interviewed August 16, 2019
Blair Robertson
TVSquared
Chief Technology Officer
Interviewed August 21, 2019
Bill Swanson
Telaria
Vice President, EMEA
Interviewed July 25, 2019
Kyle Trotter
Shutterstock
Director, Creative Video Content
Interviewed August 12, 2019

authors

Bill Fisher

Contributors

Ross Benes
Analyst
Alina Brentnall
Researcher, Europe
Jennifer Jhun
Research Director, International and Special Projects
Angela Kim
Senior Researcher
Paul Verna
VP, Multimedia